Gemma
7 Oct 2025
If you’re wondering whether a Grateful Patient Fundraising Programme is worth the effort — here’s your answer: yes, and then some.
At one of the UK’s leading NHS teaching hospitals, launching the first Grateful Patient Programmedelivered transformational results — not just in income, but in culture, reputation, and staff engagement.
Hard Numbers That Speak for Themselves
These are the kinds of results NHS charities can realistically aim for with a well-run programme:
Database growth: We doubled the size of our donor database.
Staff awareness: Increased from 45% to 96%.
Patient engagement: 78% of patients recruited gave — and over 30% gave more than once.
Average donation: £81 per grateful patient (vs UK average of £60*).
High-value gifts: Hundreds of first-time gifts of £1,000+.
Staff confidence: 96% of trained staff felt comfortable referring patients.
Staff knowledge: 30% increase in staff knowing how to introduce patients to the charity.
*Source: CAF Giving Report 2023
Unexpected Wins That Made a Big Difference
Beyond the financial KPIs, the softer outcomes were just as powerful — and often more lasting:
Unrestricted income grew significantly — not just project-specific gifts.
Fund advisors spent their funds more strategically.
The charity’s reputation improved — thanks to visible, dedicated contact points.
Hospital staff felt happier and more engaged through fundraising involvement.
More fundraising ideas emerged — clinicians began suggesting projects.
Better understanding of fund levies among clinical teams.
The charity became a strategic partner — not just a support service.
Why This Matters for NHS Charities
Grateful Patient Fundraising isn’t just about asking for money. It’s about:
Creating meaningful ways for patients to say thank you
Building stronger relationships between the hospital and its charity
Embedding philanthropy into the culture of care
Unlocking new income streams for the NHS — even without a capital campaign
And most importantly, it’s about showing your hospital what’s possible when fundraising is done with empathy, professionalism, and purpose.
Would you like help benchmarking your current position or designing a pilot that fits your hospital’s size and culture? I’d love to support you.